Next target for data centers is Henrico county

[Jamieva]

And you're probably asking why should I care? Why does Henrico county matter, it's not in northern Virginia. Here's why:

New Market Heights
Fort Harrison
Malvern Hill
Glendale
Cold Harbor
Savage Station

And others. All of these took place in Henrico County. So when the trust is trying to grab as much land as they can in these areas, that's why.

Henrico became a data center hub seemingly overnight. How did it happen, and what are the impacts?

What was once primarily farmland in Henrico County has evolved into a data center hub over the last five years, dramatically transforming the local economy.

www.richmonder.org

 

[Jerry43]

Henrico County is having a public hearing on May 15 on their proposed zoning law to limit Data Centers to the 3,100 acre White Oak Technology Park at I-64/295.

Their idea is keep them all in one region rather than popping up in more residential areas like the old Azalea Mall site.

Regardless of where they go in Virginia, the electricity output in the state would have to at least double to handle all the proposals for data centers.

 

[Belfoured]

And you're probably asking why should I care? Why does Henrico county matter, it's not in northern Virginia. Here's why:

New Market Heights
Fort Harrison
Malvern Hill
Glendale
Cold Harbor
Savage Station

And others. All of these took place in Henrico County. So when the trust is trying to grab as much land as they can in these areas, that's why.

Henrico became a data center hub seemingly overnight. How did it happen, and what are the impacts?

What was once primarily farmland in Henrico County has evolved into a data center hub over the last five years, dramatically transforming the local economy.

www.richmonder.org

It's a good thing that the ABT has been able to jump on those Glendale and Gaines's Mill/Cold Harbor parcels over the past decade before this modern version of a locust swarm stripped them.

 

[MWood1841]

the energy grid is under sufficient now and these data centers are pouring fuel on the fire. We have close friends of ours who is a senior manager at one of the large energy providers here in Virginia. He stated they cannot keep up with the demand. They cant build substations fast enough, are way behind and having to rely on subcontractors for help just to keep up with current demand levels. There is plenty of info popping up now on these. Almost everywhere, cost overruns are passed down to the lower level consumers. Electric bills spiking 25%+ and more after these data centers are installed. Evidently, a large amount of trans-atlantic fiber and comminication cables connect into Virginia ports. Therefore Virginia has become the new epicenter hub for the data centers epidemic. Maybe others could explain this better. When our friend was trying to explain the trans-atlantic fiber thing, I was like . It's bonkers.

 

[Jerry43]

According to Data Centers.com, there are 336 data center locations within 50 miles of Manassas VA. Dominion Energy is expecting to need 41,000 Megawatts in the next 15 years. Currently the entire country of France is running on 42,000 MW. Dominion has told data centers less power upfront in exchange for more power later as they ramp up power and transmission lines in the years ahead. I guess build it now and we will come with more power eventually!

Meanwhile, the largest solar project in Virginia is starting construction this year after all lawsuits to stop it failed. A whopping 21,000 acres to put out only 800 MW of power. Some of the huge data centers under development are over 500 MW. Where is all the this needed energy going to come from? The next administration change in Washington will no doubt "Go Green" and starve out all these data centers coming online in the next few years.

A new facility called Clean Arc Data Center has acquired land on an already zoned for data center use parcel and will scale up to 600 MW at full build out. The center will be located on 650 acres along Interstate 95 in Caroline County, north of Richmond. While building specifications haven't been released yet, the first substation will have around 300 MW capacity and will be completed by 2027.

 

[Viper21]

the energy grid is under sufficient now and these data centers are pouring fuel on the fire. We have close friends of ours who is a senior manager at one of the large energy providers here in Virginia. He stated they cannot keep up with the demand. They cant build substations fast enough, are way behind and having to rely on subcontractors for help just to keep up with current demand levels. There is plenty of info popping up now on these. Almost everywhere, cost overruns are passed down to the lower level consumers. Electric bills spiking 25%+ and more after these data centers are installed. Evidently, a large amount of trans-atlantic fiber and comminication cables connect into Virginia ports. Therefore Virginia has become the new epicenter hub for the data centers epidemic. Maybe others could explain this better. When our friend was trying to explain the trans-atlantic fiber thing, I was like . It's bonkers.

According to Data Centers.com, there are 336 data center locations within 50 miles of Manassas VA. Dominion Energy is expecting to need 41,000 Megawatts in the next 15 years. Currently the entire country of France is running on 42,000 MW. Dominion has told data centers less power upfront in exchange for more power later as they ramp up power and transmission lines in the years ahead. I guess build it now and we will come with more power eventually!

Meanwhile, the largest solar project in Virginia is starting construction this year after all lawsuits to stop it failed. A whopping 21,000 acres to put out only 800 MW of power. Some of the huge data centers under development are over 500 MW. Where is all the this needed energy going to come from? The next administration change in Washington will no doubt "Go Green" and starve out all these data centers coming online in the next few years.

A new facility called Clean Arc Data Center has acquired land on an already zoned for data center use parcel and will scale up to 600 MW at full build out. The center will be located on 650 acres along Interstate 95 in Caroline County, north of Richmond. While building specifications haven't been released yet, the first substation will have around 300 MW capacity and will be completed by 2027.

I would love to discuss this with y'all in depth. However, we'll get over the modern political threshold quickly.

We're better off to keep this thread focused on Historic preservation efforts, not what the folks eating up the real estate are gonna use it for, or it's impact to our communities. I already deleted my own initial response for that very reason....

 

[MWood1841]

I dont see ABT, CVBT and Shenandoah Battlefields Dist with deep enough pockets to protect what green space is left existing around Virginia battlefields.

Virginia has always been known for its historic landscapes. I guess in the near future it will be known for its data centers and big tech industrial parks. The Virginia version of Silicon Valley

 

[Belfoured]

I would love to discuss this with y'all in depth. However, we'll get over the modern political threshold quickly.

We're better off to keep this thread focused on Historic preservation efforts, not what the folks eating up the real estate are gonna use it for, or it's impact to our communities. I already deleted my own initial response for that very reason....

That's a fair point but I think the line is much easier to draw in theory than in practice. A good number of members support the ABT and similar organizations in their fight to save these places and post updates on transactions, lawsuits, etc to encourage others to join in.

 

[Belfoured]

I dont see ABT, CVBT and Shenandoah Battlefields Dist with deep enough pockets to protect what green space is left existing around Virginia battlefields.

Virginia has always been known for its historic landscapes. I guess in the near future it will be known for its data centers and big tech industrial parks. The Virginia version of Silicon Valley

You're right to be concerned about the $$$ angle but the ABT for one has landed a lot of financial partnering/matching in large amounts. The solid strategy is to be careful to chase those parcels that are truly worth saving from predation.

 

[MWood1841]

The solid strategy is to be careful to chase those parcels that are truly worth saving from predation.

and I definitely realize the reality that not everything can be saved and preserved. I'm holding out hope that preservation groups are able to have some more wins (small or big), so future generations can enjoy and learn from these places, as I and others have had the privilege to.

 

[Kathy the history sleuth]

Data Centers are trying to get a foothold in East TN as well.

 

[MWood1841]

Data Centers are trying to get a foothold in East TN as well.

there gonna be like Dollar Generals or Dollar Trees, every town will have a few on every corner

 

[History hoarder63]

Henrico County is having a public hearing on May 15 on their proposed zoning law to limit Data Centers to the 3,100 acre White Oak Technology Park at I-64/295.

Their idea is keep them all in one region rather than popping up in more residential areas like the old Azalea Mall site.

Regardless of where they go in Virginia, the electricity output in the state would have to at least double to handle all the proposals for data centers.

"to limit Data Centers to the 3,100 acre White Oak Technology Park at I-64/295."

Which just so happens to be right between the battlefields of Savage's Station and White Oak Swamp (Glendale).

 

[Jerry43]

I realize this forum is about history and not a sounding place to discuss modern politics or regional issues not related to the Civil War. I will leave this topic by saying a well-informed public is the only thing between county, state and federal governments destroying history in the name of progress. Over the last 50 years, I have had to deal with highway bypasses, gas pipelines, and mega sized hog farms threatening my historic farm. All of them promised one thing in slick presentations but in reality, it took grass roots efforts by citizens to expose the hidden facts that ultimately ended those threats.

 

[Story]

U.S. Civil War Reenactors Are Going Into Battle Against AI Data Centers

U.S. Civil War Reenactors Are Going Into Battle Against AI Data Centers

Locals and living historians are furious at the rise of AI data centers on historic lands. Now, lawsuits are flying like Civil War cannonballs.

www.vice.com

 

[Tony Z]

I do not understand data centers at all! Now, bear in mind, the company I own has done considerable work for alternative energy and grid protection (in excess of $750,000 in revenue). Grid protection should be relabeled as grid management and with existing generation methods.

In PA, certain areas are welcoming data centers, such as near Three Mile Island nuclear generator.

As mentioned, data centers are turning into this decade's Dollar Store.

 

[MWood1841]

data centers are turning into this decade's Dollar Store.

yep, the demand for all things in the digital realm and with AI taking off in lightning speed its only going to get worse. Every region with moderate to high population centers, industry and commerce are gonna have these things popping up.

 

[Tony Z]

yep, the demand for all things in the digital realm and with AI taking off in lightning speed its only going to get worse. Every region with moderate to high population centers, industry and commerce are gonna have these things popping up.

But let those profiting, pay. The job creation is in construction, with few permanent jobs. I am not against them, but I view some of the placements bordering on the Disney/Bull Run issue of nearly four decades ago.

 

[Belfoured]

U.S. Civil War Reenactors Are Going Into Battle Against AI Data Centers

U.S. Civil War Reenactors Are Going Into Battle Against AI Data Centers

Locals and living historians are furious at the rise of AI data centers on historic lands. Now, lawsuits are flying like Civil War cannonballs.

www.vice.com

Good. 'Nuff said …

 

[Belfoured]

But let those profiting, pay. The job creation is in construction, with few permanent jobs. I am not against them, but I view some of the placements bordering on the Disney/Bull Run issue of nearly four decades ago.

That's the thing folks miss when they're given the full court press. The "jobs" issue is mostly very short term . Nobody seems to ask about jobs ten years or so down the road.